MacKenna's Gold poster & wallpaper

Burgess Meredith, Camilla Sparv, Carmilla Sparv

Attempting to do for Westerns what his Guns of Navarone had done for World War II action epics, director J. Lee Thompson crafted Mackenna's Gold as a lavish, absurdly ambitious variation...( read more  read more... ) on Erich Von Stroheim's Greed, resulting in a last-gasp Western so eager to encompass the genre's traditions that it turns into a big, silly, wildly entertaining mess. Gregory Peck surely had more serious intentions when he signed on, and he brings prestigious gravitas to his glum role as Marshall Mackenna, who gets shanghaied into searching for the gold-filled canyon of an elusive Apache legend. The rest of the 1969 film labors to undermine Peck's respectable demeanor; how else to explain Omar Sharif as a Mexican villain, Julie Newmar as a hot-blooded Apache temptress (with underwater nude scenes that were celebrated in Playboy magazine), and a jaw-dropping finale that's so ridiculous it's impressive in spite of itself?

Formerly blacklisted screenwriter Carl Foreman and composer Dimitri Tiomkin joined up to coproduce the film, and one can only imagine how Anthony Mann or Howard Hawks might've handled Foreman's sensible script. Thompson goes for scenic splendor, heavy action, and heavier emotions, casting everything at a fever pitch that's wildly enjoyable without betraying his "serious" intentions. A stable of Hollywood veterans (Eli Wallach, Raymond Massey, Edward G. Robinson, and others) appear in lively supporting roles--they're all dispatched in a garish Apache ambush--and Camilla Sparv is an ingénue with plenty of fighting attitude. Gold fever reaches its peak, along with some awesome special effects, and divine intervention reaches new heights of intensity. Top it off with José Feliciano's theme song, and you'll be in zany Western heaven. --Jeff Shannon

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68% liked it

3,244 ratings

Unrated, 123 min.

Directed by: J. Lee Thompson

Release Date: May 10, 1969

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

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Stats: 110 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (110)

  • jam233
    November 23, 2009
    jam233
    Far too long, which results in more than a few slow stretches. The interesting cast is a big plus as is the big budget of the film. Good cinematography, fine score.
  • prsdbulusu
    October 7, 2009
    prsdbulusu
    It is one of the old time hits and good acting by Gregory Peck & Omar Sheriff.
  • jackgiantkillr
    July 31, 2009
    jackgiantkillr
    Interesting cast (Omar Sharif adds yet another ethnicity to his repitoire), cool ending, interesting. However, sort of rambling, and what's up w/the Julio Iglesias turkey-vulture theme song?
  • ingridon89
    July 15, 2009
    ingridon89
    There are many reasons why the western ?McKenna?s Gold? is known as the best film of the late 60s. For example: excellent music composed by the great Italian musician Ennio Morricone, fascinating views of wild nature and of course, incomparable play of the Hollywood main supersta...( read more)rs Gregory Peck and Omar Sharif.
    This is not also an ordinary western, because it is not based on the blood and violence like others, it does not show any kind of revenge, but what is more, it introduces to us the destiny of greedy and mercenary people.
    The story begins with a quarrel between sheriff McKenna and old Indian. Unfortunately, the sheriff must kill a wild man, but before his death, the Indian gave McKenna one map which shows the way to ?Golden Caves? where the innumerable amount of treasures is kept. But nobody knows that famous outlaw Colorado is also looking for this gold. He kidnaps McKenna and makes him to show the way. During all story, more and more people join this dangerous adventure: McKenna, Colorado with his band and the police colonel. All of them are blinded with the thirst of richness. Any feelings, any emotions?The director J. Lee Thompson showed us the most negative side of human character. Everybody in this film demonstrates his own nature, the darkest part of his soul. The money and gold mean everything. The less sign of morality is lost. And now it is time for decisive moment. Nobody got the gold. Cunning McKenna did not tell about the curse of the ?Golden Caves?, which he heard from old Indian. In the end everyone who came into the cave was killed in the way of cave?s destruction. Only the sheriff with his girlfriend Inge stayed alive, because they did not want this richness.
    It is really the best film I have ever seen. The role of McKenna, played by Gregory Peck was charmful and realistic great. But the main thing I want to mention is the sense of morality. This story shows us that it is impossible to become wealthy in easy way.
  • nishantkr46
    June 8, 2009
    nishantkr46
    movies like these have created a never ending fascination for South America,Mexico and The Red Indians and Cowboys..
  • rasivasu
    April 26, 2009
    rasivasu
    After "The good, the bad & the ugly", this is my favourite "Wild, wild west" movie.
  • seemagoray2001
    March 3, 2009
    seemagoray2001
    very good and highly entertaining
  • sramakrishnan1
    February 27, 2009
    sramakrishnan1
    Gregory Peck & Omar Sharif at their best.
  • nicefriendarshad
    February 3, 2009
    nicefriendarshad
    i want to see this movie so many times.
  • anfieldglory
    July 19, 2008
    anfieldglory
    Gold! (pun intended)

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MacKenna's Gold Trivia

  • Numerous Gold Bandits, A legendary valley of Gold, Gregory Peck as the sheriff, co-stars Edward G Robinson, Lee J Cobb, and a couple upcoming Batman villians. Music by Quincy Jones....Name the movie from 1968?  Answer »
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